Hey Brandon, welcome to the site. I don't think that your going to offend anyone here when you made the comment about people dressing up and acting like folklore vampires or vampires out of the movies. This site was designed for more mature minded people who don't feel the need to pretend that they are something that they are not. However, vampires do exist, they have several on this site and many more around the world. Stick around, this site is very informative, I've learned quite a bit from it and I'm sure you will too. Enjoy!! 

Brandon, the English Gothic aesthetic is a nineteenth century convention that was popular near the eighteen-hundred's close.  The reason that the Vampire subculture , at fits and spurts, embraces it (pun intended) is because the infamous Lord Byron, Percy Shelly, Mary Shelly, John Polidori, and many other British aristocrats who exemplified the style of macabre elegance, readily embraced that same style in their day.  It is an artistic elegance full of dramatic flair which at times I embrace.  It does not matter to me if it is a bit anachronistic; I do it for effect quite deliberately since it both intimidates and intrigues others.  The rest of my allure comes from my natural vamp charisma.  By the way,  I am Sanguine by nature but I do not require blood per se since I can siphon psychically all the life force I need from my random donors.  (predatory, maybe; necessary, without a doubt) 
Style-wise, I am as comfortable in a black Joseph Aboud suit with a minimum of pale foundation (I really don't need much as I am already nearly alabaster)  as I am in slightly heavier foundation and "classical gentry attire".  Either way I look like a gentleman.  (Funeral Director versus Vampire LOL) I consider it a matter of pride to represent my Kin favorably in fashionable attire which is both sexy and flattering.  I make no pretense to hide my nature, nor do I blatantly advertise it.  Ambiguity adds to mystique and speculation distracts doubt. 
Additionally, I am keenly concerned with discovering and sharing the spiritual aspects of my Condition in all it's dark nuances.  I am working upon a book similar to Currot's "Book of Shadows" told from the vampiric perspective.

I do not find your opinions offensive; they are merely typical of inexperienced naivety.

No offence taken. We are all allowed to say what we feel. After all it's not what we see on the outside that makes us who we are but what we are on the inside.
I dress pretty normal on most days but sometimes I feel a little darker and tend to dress a little more flamboyant. But no matter what I wear I don't' have any super powers nor do I have problems with sunlight.
I do see myself as being different than others. And at times I might dress different than most. And I do  have to go a little further just to stay healthy and energetic and it does require the help of another person.
Clothing isn't really an issue for me. I find people who dress in the manner you speak of quite intriguing actually and beautiful. I don't think it makes me look bad at all or give us (vampires or whatever you want to call us) a bad name